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Dementia UK gets funding boost thanks to hard work and generosity of Central England Co-op colleagues, members and customers

DEMENTIA UK GETS FUNDING BOOST THANKS TO HARD WORK AND GENEROSITY OF CENTRAL ENGLAND CO-OP COLLEAGUES, MEMBERS AND CUSTOMERS

Central England Co-operative colleagues, customers and members have come together to put two great events to raise vital funds for Dementia UK.

Dozens of people swapped their work shoes for walking boots to take part in a special Dementia UK Walk, which was held in Sutton Park. The event was so popular that other events were also held across the 16 counties the Society trades including Branston and Derby.

The walkers were aged from one to 80 and everyone who took part walked either 3k or 6k.

Around £2,000 has been raised so far from people collecting in sponsorship and taking part in one of the walks.

The retailer’s head office in Lichfield was recently transformed into a village fete, with staff taking part in a ball toss, tombola and a guess how many sweets in the jar competition. The event raised over £850 in total.

Over £700,000 has been raised and donated so far as part of the partnership between Central England Co-op and Dementia UK.

The Society will use the funds to help with the recruitment of dementia specialist Admiral Nurses. These will work closely with those living with dementia and their loved ones, offering support and advice to cope with the change that dementia brings.

The nurses are highly trained to assist those living with dementia and their loved ones, either in one-to-one sessions or through its Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline.

The numbers of those living with dementia in the UK currently stands at 850,000, but by 2020 this is expected to increase to over one million. Dementia does not discriminate with many people becoming affected by early onset dementia, and although there are certain conditions that will heighten the likelihood of dementia, it can affect anyone.

Hannah Gallimore, Corporate Responsibility Manager at Central England Co-op, said: “We have been actively fundraising for Dementia UK since the beginning of the partnership in August 2017. “Colleagues, customers and members have really got behind the charity as dementia can affect anyone at any time.
“It isn’t just those living with dementia that need help and support as their loved ones and carers will also need support and guidance, which is supplied by the Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline.

“We want to say a big thank you to anyone who supported these events and helped raise vital funds for Dementia UK.”

More information on Dementia UK is available by visiting www.dementiauk.org/get-support or calling 08008 886678.

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Notes to editors

About Central England Co-operative

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK.

It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with the Society’s principal areas of activity being food, funeral services, and property investment.

Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility. It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence. The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.

Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.
Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop

For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative